http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7015 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 02:51:36 GMT 2026-04-06T02:51:36Z http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7020 Tourism after Corona (COVID-19) and Recovery Strategies: Market diversification, Nature- based, and Geotourism potentialities in Sri Lanka Fernando, Imali N.; Ratnayake, A.S. Tourism counts as one of the most significant global economic sectors which could cross cultural boundaries, influence economies, open up an avenue for leisure and relaxation motives, and unite people globally. Despite being a massive contributor to the global economy, tourism promotes millions of direct/indirect employments and cross-cultural mobility. In the post-pandemic era, tourism has become a premier part of the economic boom in Sri Lanka, as the peaceful state and hereditary beauty mingled to attract visitors around the globe. This paper attempts to discover post-pandemic recovery strategies identifying post-pandemic tourism behavior within the economy and potential tourism markets. The study objectives have been reached through a comprehensive secondary data analysis and industry stakeholder survey conducted during September-October 2024. Administered Questionnaires among the respondents to gain an in-depth under- standing of (1) nature-based tourism during the present post-pandemic, (2) demographic features of the target market, (3) Geotourism as a potential market to develop, (4) Pos- sible geosites which would be promoted and (5) potential tourism markets. Data was qualitatively analyzed through the Thematic analysis method for a deeper understanding of the concept. The paper provides directions on sector development through sustainable solutions by uplifting the nature-based tourism cluster, geotourism development, market diversification and specifically linking Ramayana Trail with geosites to attract Indian tourist market. Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7020 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7019 Tour Operators as Catalysts for Sustainable Mountain Tourism Development in Sri Lanka Narampanawa, I.; Nawarathna, D.; Sammani, O. Mountain tourism is an alternative, emerging type of tourism occurring in geograph- ically defined areas characterized by rich biodiversity, challenging accessibility and high sensitivity, necessitating third-party involvement. Despite research on various special interest tourism types, the involvement of tour operators' have often been underexplored. In light of this gap, and as highlighted by Sri Lanka’s tourism strategic report for 2025, there is lack of investigation into alternative, niche, and emerging tourism markets. Hence, the objectives of the study were to identify the push and pull antecedents of sustainable mountain tourism in Sri Lanka and to explore the role of tour operators in the development of sustainable mountain tourism in Sri Lanka. The study adopted a qualitative approach, collecting data through purposive sampling from fifteen tour op- erators via semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed that pull antecedents mainly arose as unique selling propositions, and destination’s diversity and push antecedents as personal and external factors. The role of tour operators found that tour operators con- tribute to economic sustainability through marketing, promotion, and new product de- velopment, while better planning, monitoring indicated their role towards environmental sustainability. Finally, it was revealed that tour operators play a major role in networking towards social sustainability. Nevertheless, future researchers could examine private- public partnerships and collaborations and combined tourism products to further develop mountain tourism’s potential, which has not been ad-dressed yet. Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7019 2024-11-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7018 Stakeholders' Views on Ai-Powered Chatbots for Enhancing Student Support Services in Nigerian Universities: A Case Study of Al-Hikmah University Suleiman, Y.; Akanbi, I.M.; Ibrahim, Y.O.; Emeruem, I.C. The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education has led to growing interest in the use of AI-powered chatbots to enhance student support services. This qualitative study explores stakeholders' views on AI-powered chatbots for enhanc- ing student support services in Nigerian universities: a case study of Al-Hikmah univer- sity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 46 university administrators, fac- ulty members, IT staff, and students, alongside focus group discussions with students, to gather diverse perspectives on this emerging technology. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to the perceived benefits, such as improved efficiency, personalized support, and 24/7 availability of services, as well as challenges, including concerns about data privacy, lack of human interaction, and potential technical issues. Findings suggest that while stakeholders acknowledge the potential for AI-powered chatbots to streamline administrative tasks and enhance student experience, there are reservations about their readiness and the infrastructural demands for effective imple- mentation. The study concludes by highlighting the need for comprehensive training, improved infrastructure, and stakeholder involvement to ensure the successful adoption of AI-powered chatbots in student support services. These views provide valuable in- formation for policymakers and university administrators considering AI-driven solu- tions for improving student support in Nigerian universities. Keywords: AI, Perceptions, Support Services, Challenges, Potentials, Qualitative Ap- proach Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7018 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7017 Challenges in Offering Street Food Experiences for Tourists in Sri Lanka; Insights from Tourism Stakeholders Bandara, W.M.A.H.; Ranasinghe, J.P.R.C.R.; Dassanayake, D.M.C. Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.rjt.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7017 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z